Cranleigh 15/21Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (298 votes). | The big picture (298 votes) | | Overall score | | 86% | | How many would do it again? | | 95% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 78% | | PB potential | | 66% | | Atmosphere | | 70% | | Organisation | | 83% | | Value | | 88% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 69% |
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2013 race reviewed by: Matthew Campion
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race - good pre-marathon run
In full: Jelly baby's being handed out were welcome. Great value
Date of review: April 5, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: David Cornock
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Friendly, no frills race ideal for marathon build-up
In full: Very friendly, low-key run in a nice part of Surrey. Coffee and flapjack for a £1 donation to Arthritis Research afterwards sums up the approach of the organisers.
Date of review: April 5, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: englandlynda
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A friendly low-key pre-marathon training run
In full: Excellent value, including a medal which considering the entry fee was unexpected. Course well laid out, so easy to follow. Mildly undulating, which some may have found challenging. Being able to decide at mile 15 whether to finish or do the extra loop is an added bonus. Plus being 21 miles, when most marathon training runs/races are 20 miles means only having to run an extra 5.2 miles, not 6.2 miles! The start was very fast, but after a few miles it evened out. Marshals - you all deserve a medal. Not only did you stand in that awful weather, you gave loads of encouragement. A special mention to the youngsters giving out water and the two girls handing out jelly babies - a lovely touch and most welcome. Plenty of (free) parking, easy to drive away from. Thank you everyone involved.
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Carly Lynch
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good old fashioned, no frills event along a stunning rural course.
In full: Great organisation: plenty of free nearby parking, numbers sent out in advance, well signed. Use of the leisure centre meant no portaloos and provided a warm place to stretch
Marshals: the best! You are absolute heroes! I didn't realise how cold it was until I stopped running. Your support was incredible, especially in ridiculously cold conditions.
Course: stunning scenery, good quality road surface, plenty of undulations but nothing too tough if you usually train on hills. Although the hill on mile 20 took it out of some runners.
Even better if: the start was wider- the first mile is very slow due to congestion. Complimentary food at the end- I was starving!
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: pmo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great value marathon training race
In full: Very well organised, good facilities and a bargain. The course is gently undulating, and traffic is controlled very well. Will be back at some point, even if I'm not in marathon training.
Thanks to organisers and marshals for their efforts yesterday, and for not cancelling which seems to be the vogue these days if it looks a little cold...
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Owen Kimber
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Thank you to the organisers for giving up their time in freezing conditions
In full: The big facts are that this is a much cheaper entry than many other 20-mile events and is organised and marshalled by the devotion of volunteers. Yesterday, these people were heroes; my car said it was -1, it was snowing at times and there was a horrible icy wind in parts. These people stood there for several hours to support us runners and all were positive with kind words to cheers us on. Thank you.
In addition, it is a nice country course with variation, has the feel of a club event and is the perfect event if you are preparing for a spring marathon.
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: daisydoodoo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Perfect last long run before a Spring marathon.
In full: I love this race, maybe as it's the last 21 miler I do before a marathon. It signals the end and the start of taper. But I really enjoy the course, rural, quiet undulating roads. easy to break up mentally as well, with the extra loop.
This year was by far the coldest. So, I've entered a review, to say a huge thank you to the marshals that stood for hours in that bitter weather. It was really appreciated, so thank you! I'll be back, a tenner for 21 miles....brilliant value! Really liked the new finish in the field :-)
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: A A 29
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent facilities, good value, well organised, great cakes!
In full: First time at this event. Would recommend it for many reasons: well organised, good scenic, rural route, superb pre and post-race facilities, great marshalling and fab cakes.
The route: definitely NOT fast as plenty of grandients up and down. However, it is on mainly quiet country lanes and fairly traffic free. However, one section does pass along a busy road that leads back into Cranleigh. This can be slightly uncomfortable when being passed by fast moving traffic and quite close! Also, section through Cranleigh is a biit of an obstacle course and could be awkward with big groups running through. The 6 miles loop though is very pleasant and more rural. Well signed and Marshalled course throughout.
Fab facilities at the Leisure Centre for a welcome hot shower after. Needed it this year(2013) as it was bitterly cold with snow flurries. Nice selection of cakes and nice to have post-race massage available. Plenty of shops and cafes in Cranleigh and only a few mins walk from the Leisure centre.
Only minor points: perhaps just have one, clear announcement at the beginning at the start line. I didn't see a need for 2 separate announcements by 2 different people as they were almost identical in their content! A bit confusing and only useful for the few people on the startline in front of the announcer. Perhaps a countdown aswell and would be nice to have category prizes as well as finisher's memento.
In summary: a great road run, well marshalled with great facilities and cakes. Superb value for the entry fee.
Thanks to all the Marshalls, helpers and organisers, particularly for standing out in the awful weather this year(2013). A credit to you all.
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Southdownsman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great pre-marathon training event along undulating rural lanes in very pleasant countryside. I have run it several times, but never in anywhere near such freezing conditions!
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Burtie14
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic value - can't fault it
In full: This is an ideal marathon build-up, and the past couple of years have seen glorious spring mornings and high spirits. Not so this year, as the the bitter big freeze brought temperatures down and a chill to the bones.
It didn’t bring spirits down however, and it was only this year that I fully appreciated just how many kind organisers and volunteers gave up their Sunday to stand in the freezing cold to marshal and give out refreshments – always smiling and always encouraging.
Let’s remind ourselves – this race costs £12. That’s TWELVE QUID. You get 21 pretty challenging miles for that (or 15 if you prefer), great organisation, and a really nice friendly atmosphere. Unmissable.
Date of review: March 25, 2013
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